Commercial
Ship owners facing increasing risks over charterers’ default
Ship owners are becoming increasingly concerned about the financial consequences of a rise in ship charterers filing for bankruptcy.
Insurance accounting rules and the impact on small insurers
The International Accounting Standards Board has finally issued a draft standard for the valuation of insurance liabilities, however, as Martin LePelley explains this may cause more problems than offer solutions.
Gallagher's crashes UK top 10 broker table with £97m Heath swoop
Arthur J Gallagher has confirmed it has completed the acquisition of Heath Lambert in a £97m cash deal.
Catlin Q1 GWP bolstered by Swiss start-up as UK/London dips 10%
Catlin this morning reported that it had seen an 11 per cent increase in gross premiums written ($1.4bn or £860m) and that over half (52 per cent) had been written by non-London/UK underwriting hubs.
Lloyd's reveals £2.34bn claims hit from quakes, tsunami and flooding
Lloyd’s has today announced its estimated net claims before tax from the earthquakes this year in Japan and New Zealand and the January 2011 floods in Australia.
Catlin Q1 GWP bolstered by Swiss start-up as UK/London dips 10%
Catlin this morning reported that it had seen an 11 per cent increase in gross premiums written ($1.4bn or £860m) and that over half (52 per cent) had been written by non-London/UK underwriting hubs.
Giles reports 2010 loss of £37m
Giles made a loss of £37.11m in the year to 31 August 2010, according to accounts filed with Companies House this week.
Two FSA decision notices referred to the tribunal
The Financial Services Authority has for the first time, published two decision notices for enforcement decisions that have been referred to the Upper Tribunal.
Sampo Group entities' outlook revised
Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook to stable on Sampo Group's main entities, including the Finnish life insurer Mandatum Life Insurance Company, the Swedish entities of If non-life insurance group and the ultimate holding company of the Sampo Group,…
European investors see Solvency II hurting corporate debt
Half of investors expect Solvency II to have a negative impact on the demand for corporate debt, a survey has found.
Aon expands Irish operations with risk consulting practice
Aon Risk Solutions is expanding its presence in Ireland, with the opening of a branch of its global risk consulting business.
Allianz "operating improvements" offset catastrophe losses in Q1
Allianz this morning reported group quarterly revenue of €29.9bn - 2.2% below the record level of €30.6bn in the first quarter of 2010.
Sampo Group entities' outlook revised
Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook to stable on Sampo Group's main entities, including the Finnish life insurer Mandatum Life Insurance Company, the Swedish entities of If non-life insurance group and the ultimate holding company of the Sampo Group,…
European investors see Solvency II hurting corporate debt
Half of investors expect Solvency II to have a negative impact on the demand for corporate debt, a survey has found.
Aon expands Irish operations with risk consulting practice
Aon Risk Solutions is expanding its presence in Ireland, with the opening of a branch of its global risk consulting business.
Allianz "operating improvements" offset catastrophe losses in Q1
Allianz this morning reported group quarterly revenue of €29.9bn - 2.2% below the record level of €30.6bn in the first quarter of 2010.
Editor's comment: are some more equal?
Tales of the unexpected it is not, but the level of animosity now being directed by legal expenses insurers towards their supposedly protective big brother — that's to say, the Association of British Insurers — may have taken some by surprise.
Interview - Tim Coles: up and at it
After serving in the army, Tim Coles, chief executive of Howden, found fresh excitement in the world of insurance. Mairi MacDonald talks to him about the company's unique attitude and his plans to grow the business further.
MA Assist wins exclusive RSA commercial contract
RSA has appointed MA Assist as sole repair supplier for its commercial property claims.
Junction prioritises servicing existing customers
Junction is to move away from targeting new affinity partners and instead focus its attention on servicing existing partners, as part of a "new phase" of development.
Hyperion aims for £200m target by 2014
The development of a general commercial retail broking operation in the UK will play a major role in Hyperion Group becoming a £200m business by September 2014.
Career development & CSR: Sterling signs up to Aldermanbury Declaration
Sterling Insurance has become the latest insurer to sign up to the Chartered Insurance Institute's Aldermanbury Declaration.
Allianz focus on channel lines rather than regions
Allianz Retail has unveiled a new strategy that the business, ultimately, hopes will lead to more cross-selling among its personal lines brokers.
SMEs advised on alternatives
SMEs have been urged to consider alternatives to the purchase of non-compulsory commercial insurance.